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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  C72-4503 


z. 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  micro'eproductions  historiques 


^ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


□    Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 

□    Covers  damagod/ 
Couverture  endommagie 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^  et/ou  pellicul^e 

I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


n 


n 


Le  titre  de  couverturs  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReliA  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de  la  mat  ge  int6rieure 


Blank  lenves  added   .jring  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouties 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  iti  filmtos. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  it6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peMvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu^s  ci-dessous. 


T 
ti 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 

□    Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 


D 


D 


Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculAes 


rri    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


Pages  d^color^es,  tacheties  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachies 

Showthroughy 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Qualiti  inigale  de  ('impression 

Includes  supplementary  ma^erit 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplementaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


T 

P 
o 
fl 


C 

b 

ti 
s 
a 
fl 
s 
a 


r~>  Pages  detached/ 

r~yr  Showthrough/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

nn  Includes  supplementary  material/ 

r~1  Only  edition  available/ 


T 

s< 
T 

VI 

IV 
d 

b 
ri 
n 
n 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuSilet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmdes  d  nouveau  de  fa^on  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


0 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplimentaires; 


Pagination  as  follows  :   [126] -136  p. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film4i  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

26X 

30X 

V 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  has  b««n  reproduced  thanks 
to  tha  ganarosity  of: 

L<gislati*re  du  Quebec 
QuMmg 


L'axamplaira  filmi  fut  raproduit  grAca  A  la 
ginArositi  da: 

Legislature  du  QuiSbec 
Quebec 


Tha  imagas  appearing  hare  are  the  beat  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  Icaeping  with  the 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


Lee  imegea  suivantea  ont  Mi  raproduites  avac  la 
plua  grand  aoin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattet*  de  raxempiaira  filmi,  at  an 
conformiti  avac  lea  conditions  du  contrat  da 
filmaga. 


Original  copiea  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  imprea- 
sion,  or  the  bacic  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copiea  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illuatratad  imprea- 
sion.  and  ending  on  the  laat  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  impression. 


Laa  axempieirea  origlnaux  dorit  la  couverture  •n 
papier  eat  imprimie  sont  fiimis  an  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darniire  page  qui  comporte  une  ampreinte 
d'Impreaaion  ou  d'iilustration.  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  sutres  •xemplairas 
originaux  sont  filmia  an  commen9ant  par  la 
premiere  page  qui  comporte  une  ampreinto 
dlmpraasion  ou  d'iilustration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  Icat  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  —^(meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  appiiae. 


Un  dee  symbolea  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
damiire  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  le 
caa:  le  symbole  — »>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
symboie  V  signifie  "FIN". 


Msps,  pistes,  charts,  etc..  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratioa.  Thoae  too  lerge  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  expoaura  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  cmar,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framea  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrama  iliuatrata  the 
method: 


Lea  cartaa.  planchea.  tableaux,  ate.  peuvent  dtra 
filmia  i  dee  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  itra 
raproduit  9n  un  saul  clichi,  II  eat  filmi  i  partir 
da  I'angia  supirieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  wt  baa,  an  pranent  la  nombra 
d'imagas  nicessaira.  Lea  diagrammed  suivants 
iilustrent  la  mithode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

[From  t/i,'  Miioazhtc  of  Americiu  History  for  Aui^tist,  l8()0.] 


THE   FRENCH-CANADIAN    PEASANTRY 

LANGUAGE,    CUSTOMS,    MODE   OF   LIFE,    FOOD,   DRESS 

While  the  forces  of  change  and  progress  are  rapidly  obliterating  the 
ways  of  our  ancestors,  and  civilization  with  giant  footsteps  is  trampling 
out  of  sight  even  the  ancient  landmarks,  the  French-Canadian  peasant 
still  preserves  the  same  old  customs  and  habits  which  his  progenitors 
from  Brittany  and  Normandy  transplanted  to  Canadian  soil.  The  traveler 
through  the  province  of  Quebec  may,  amid  many  of  its  surviving  cherished 
memorials,  easily  fancy  himself  among  the  romantic  scenes  and  striking 
events  of  French  colonial  life  of  more  than  a  century  ago.  Not  only  are 
the  old  fortifications  which  protected  the  city  of  Champlain  from  the 
assaults  of  Wolfe,  Levy,  Montgomery,  and  Arnold  still  extant  to  chal- 
lenge the  admiration  of  the  sight-seer,  but  the  children  of  their  defenders, 
the  same  race  with  the  same  characteristics,  mental  and  physical,  and 
speaking  the  same  language,  may  be  seen  walking  the  streets  of  the  old 
rock-built  city. 

Intelligent  observers  familiar  with  the  provinces  of  France,  whence  the 
ancestors  of  this  people  came,  have  frequently  noted  and  commented 
upon  the  fact.  The  descendants  of  the  Bretons,  for  instance,  can  easily 
be  distinguished  by  their  features,  loyal  disposition,  and  strength  of  will 
even  to  obstinacy.  Their  marked  bodily  vigor  and  fervent  piety  are  other 
traits.  The  Normans  are  equally  conspicuous  for  somewhat  different 
physical  and  mental  qualities^  They  are  shrewder  in  business,  gayer,  and 
of  more  sociable  disposition.  They  also  are  loyal  and  pious,  but  less 
excitable  than  their  fellow  countrymen  of  Breton  extraction. 

The  French-Canadian  peasant,  habitant,  is  generally  of  small  or  medium 
size,  of  compact  well-knit  frame;  his  powers  of  endurance  against  fatigue 
and  cold  are  simply  astonishing.  He  is  usually  of  dark  complexion,  with 
sparkling  brown  eyes.  His  quiet,  thoughtful  face,  often  dull,  wears  a  con- 
tented expression,  but  he  brightens  quickly  in  merry  response  to  a  joke  or 
a  lively  remark,  chatting  easily  and  with  animation.  If  at  all  educated  or  a 
politician,  he  puts  his  powers  to  effective  use  and  makes  for  his  side  or 
party  a  strong  case.  His  head,  in  size  and  contents,  is  a  good  one.  Along 
the  north  shore  of  the  St.  Lawrence  one  meets  with  varied  types,  for  the 
original  settlers  intermarried  with  Indians,  English,  and  Irish,  with  such 
physical  results  as  might  be  expected.     Thus  you  will  often  see  peasants 


THE   FRENCH-CANADIAN   PEASANTRY 


127 


A 


with  features  and  complexion  corresponding  to  those  of  the  foreign  strain, 
of  Saxon  fairness,  or  freckled,  with  massive  red  beard,  answering  to  Eng- 
lish, Scotch,  and  Irish  names,  and  yet  unable  to  speak  a  word  of  English. 
Some  of  the  farmers  boast  of  descent  from  families  of  the  old  nobility 
of  France,  who,  without  means  to  leave  Canada  after  the  cession,  were 
forced  to  settle  down  on  farms  among  their  former  servants  and  depend- 
ents. Those  robly  descended  are  easily  distinguished  by  their  courtly 
bearing  and  dignity  of  manners,  apart  from  their  aristocratic  names. 

The  women  {criaturcs  as  the  men  call  them),  while  not  generally  pretty, 
are  mostly  pleasant-faced  brunettes,  whose  dark  hair  and  dark  brown  eyes 
form  a  considerable  part  of  a  beauty's  endowment.  They  are  usually 
strong,  quiet  in  movement,  inclining  to  be  stout  as  they  advance  in  years. 
Many  of  them  attract  by  their  agreeable,  kindly  expression,  though  of 
course  some  of  them  are  impulsive  enough.  They  are  simple-minded,  vir- 
tuous, and  pious,  with  frankness  of  manner.  They  lead  a  primitive  life, 
with  sturdy  labors  through  the  day  and  early  evening.  When  not  engaged 
in  the  common  home-duties  of  caring  for  the  children,  cooking,  or  attend- 
ing to  the  Cuttle,  or  helping  the  men  in  ihe  fields  during  harvest-time, 
they  sew,  spin,  weave,  and  knit.  Many  c''  hem  clothe  the  whole  family 
by  their  industry,  requiring  but  little  from  the  stores  and  cities.  In  their 
habits,  cleanliness  rules  conspicuously,  the  fact  impressing  any  stranger 
who  may  visit  their  houses.  They  are  orderly  as  well.  They  crave  but 
little  mental  stimulus  ;  thej  read  almost  nothing  but  their  Prayer-Books, 
which  explains  their  similarity  of  ideas,  as  veil  as  of  sympathies,  social,  re- 
ligious, and  national.  But  the  dwellers  near  the  cities  show  a  difference  in 
those  habits  and  feelings  of  late  years,  the  interchange  of  opinion  being 
here  wider,  more  varied,  and  modern,  strangers  and  travelers  touching 
their  long  dormant  thought  with  notable  influence. 

It  has  been  stated  somewhere,  that  "  One  of  the  best  means  of  know- 
ing the  character  of  a  people  is  a  knowledge  of  their  language."  With 
this  truism  in  mind  I  desire  to  correct  certain  erroneous  impressions  which 
exist  concerning  the  language  of  the  French  Canadians.  Among  the 
British  portion  of  the  population  in  Canada  and  the  people  of  the  United 
States,  the  belief  is  wide-spread  that  they  speak  a  mongrel  dialect — a 
patois.  It  is  true  that  the  uneducated  speak  ungrammatically  and  inele- 
gantly, use  old  words  belonging  to  the  dialects  of  Normandy,  Picardy, 
and  Brittany,  and  often  employ  words  in  their  old  relation  instead  of  the 
new;  but  this  does  not  constitute  ^patois,  such  as  we  hear  in  many  of 
the  provinces  of  France,  where  people  of  one  district  cannot  understand 
the  language  of  those  living  in  an  adjoining  one. 


128 


THE    FRENCH-CANADIAN    PEASANTRY 


The  following  is  a  specin.en  of  patois,  submitted  with  the  view  of 
emphasizing  this  fact :  The  Breton  peasant  exclaims  :  Koi  cM  done  cVol 
bite  vient  abinii  mcs  lentils?  which,  rendered  in  English,  means  :  "What 
is  this  beast  which  comes  to  destroy  my  lentils  ?  "  Any  one  familiar  with 
the  French  language  will  see  the  vast  difference  between  the  two  cases. 

A  Parisian  would  have  no  more  difficulty  in  understanding  a  French- 
Canadian  habitant,  than  an  educated  American  the  peculiarities  of  expres- 
sion of  the  illiterate  of  cities  or  country  districts  in  the  United  States,  who 
say:  "I  don't  s'pose  there  ain't  nobody  seen  nothing  o'  no  old  felt  hat 
nowhere,"  or  "  I   feel   powerful  weak,"  etc.     The  Frenchman  may,  how- 
ever, be  more  mystified  if  he  listen  to  the  speech  of  the  working  classes  of 
the  cities,  who  use  English  words  pertaining  to  matters  technical  and  con- 
nected with  trade.     He  would  find  it  difificult  to  know  what  they  meant  by 
fainnejob  {oiwrage)—''  I  have  a  job."  Oil  est  le Boss  ?  {maiire)—''  Where  is 
the  master.?  "  Jenien  vais  h  la  shop  {magasin)—'^  I  am  going  to  the  shop." 
The    exigencies    of   life    in   a   new   world   have   also,    as   in  the    United 
States,  caused  the  people  to  coin  words  which  are  not  found  in  Le  Diction- 
naire  de  rAcad^mie  Frangaise.    The  following  are  a  few  samples :  poudrerias, 
balture,  bordt'e  de  neige,  etc. 

The  peasant  speaks  without  English  admixture,  but  he  will  say,  // 
inoiiille  ("  It  wets  "),  when  he  should  say,  Ilpleut  ("  It  rains  ");  and  he  will 
speak  of  his  butin  ("  plunder  "),  when  he  means  effets  ("  goods  ").  These  are 
instances  of  misuse  of  words.  A  few  more:  if  he  wish  to  describe  a  child 
who  wears  out  his  clothe,  quickly,  he  will  say,  Cest  nn  vraipeiit  usurier  ("  He 
is  a  real  little  usurer  ") ;  and  he  will  also  SB-y,  II  me  tanne,  instead  oill  mim- 
patiente  ("He  wearies  me  ").  Instances  of  corruption  of  words  are  numerous. 
One  frequently  hears,  ^/^  /  que  c' est  d'valeur,  when  a  great  misfortune  is  im- 
plied, and  he  should  say,  Ah  !  quel  malheur  ("Ah  !  what  a  calamity  ").  Many 
nautical  terms  are  applied  to  land  matters:  Einbarquez  h  cheval  ("embark 
on  a  horse "),  instead  of  montez  h  eheval  ("  mount  a  horse  ") ;  Ben  gr^e 
("  well  rigged  ")  for  ^zW/ >;/r«zV  ("  well  supplied  ") ;  avtarru,  in  lieu  of 
attaches;  cordeaux,\n  place  o{  guides,  etc. 

The  professional  and  educated  classes  speak  good  French,  but  they 
have  not  the  same  aptitude  for  ornate  phraseology,  nor  can  they  turn  a 
compliment  as  neatly,  as  their  compatriots  on  the  other  side  of  the  Atlan- 
tic. They  are  not  as  fluent  speakers  either.  It  may  be  well  here  to 
remind  some  of  my  readers  that  most  Parisians  do  not  speak  pure  French, 
but  a  corrupt  French,  bristling  with  a  constantly  varying  slang  (argot), 
which  the  cultured  class,  the  academicians  especially,  regret  exceedingly.' 
The  intonation  and  accent  of  the  French  Canadian   are  often   provincial. 


\ 


i 


!*• 


J^ 


THE   FRENCII-CANAUIAN   PEASANTRY 


129 


.-^ 


recalling  the  old  Normal,  Proven9al,  and  Breton.  They  also  t«quently 
use  Anglicisms  ;  but,  in  spite  of  the  latter  drawback,  they  have  wntten 
"  11  enLgh  to  carry  off  pri.es  from  the  natives  of  '^^  "other  country  m 
competition  with  some  of  their  best  writers.  Both  Lou.s  Honori  Fre- 
chette  the  national  poet,  and  L'Abb6  R.  H.  Casgrain,  have  had  that  d  s- 
tinciio'n  The  English  in  Canada  will  seldom  speak  French,  feanng  to 
make  blunders,  while  the  French  Canadian  does  not  hesitate  to  use  the 
Anglo-Saxon  language,  even  if  he  speak  it  imperfectly. 

Philip  Gilber?  Hamerton,  in  Th,  Intdkctual  Life,  states;  "When 
a  foreign  language  has  been  acquired  (there  are  instances  of  th,s)  .n  qu.tc 
absolufe  perfection,  there  is  almost  always  some  loss  in  the  nafve  tongue^ 
Either  the  native  tongue  is  not  spoken  correctly,  or  it  .s  not  spoken  with 
orrtect  else  .  Rare  indeed  are  the  men  and  women  who  know 

both     anguages-French    and  English-thoroughly."      There  a.e    many 
French  Canadians  who  speak  their  mother  tongue  fluently  and  w.th  abso- 
lute  accuracy  as  to  grammar  and  choice  of  expression,  and  yet  have  a  fair 
"oi^rand  of'the  En'glish  language.     Some  of  ">-  P°"f   '-d^' .7- 
bly  Hon.  Wilfrid  Laurier,  speak  alternately  in   French  and  English  in 
7e  house  of  commons  at  Ottawa,  and  it  would  take  a  welUraineo  ear 
to  tell  which  is  his  mother  tongue.    But  one  does  now  and  then  see  in  the 
French-Canadian  press  such  Anglicisms  as,  Rcncmtrcr  sc,  pmements  (To 
meet  his  payments")  instead  of  Faire  lumncur  a  scs  "^-f"-""; ;"^/^'' 

senurnne  prtitu,n,o^  u„edmm,uie,A^    For  many  years  past  the     purists 
r  tickler;  for  unalloyed  French,  have  been  making  ^eterm-ned  efforts  to 
extirpate  Anglicisms,  stimulated  by  the  "t.ve  m.ervention  of    heRoya 
Society  of  Canada,  and  the  co-operation  of  the  press  and  critics  gener 
any     The  effect  is  already  perceptible  in  the  greater  P""V  °f '-"S^; 
and  amendments  of  style  of  the  writings  of  the  hurau  and  diction  of 

"'\Cp:o7ert;^««live  in  cabins  resembling  the  ancestral  domicile  on 
the  other  side  of  the  Atlantic,  the  only  changes  being  designed  to  meet 
the  conditions  and  necessities  of  the  more  rigorous  Canadian  climate 
Thev  are  built  of  logs  and  clay,  high-roofed,  covered  with   ^-ng'"  - 
thatched  (en  ekaume).    They  are  usually  about  twenty  feet  square,  wh  te 

waled  and  of  neat  appearance,  one  -P"™™«  "^''-J/r,"^^;:  'i 
the  attic  generally  used  to  store  grain,  etc.,  and  lighted  by  one  pane  01 
dass  "    each  end      Quite  close  to  the  cabin  may  be  seen  a  small  baking 
oven  (/4  with  a  pent-roof  of  boards,  the  stable  and  barn  a  Lttle  farther 
off    and  a  modest  vegetable  garden  in  front  or  at  one  side.     There  is 

Vol.  XXIV.-No.  2.-9 


'Y 


130 


THE   FRENCII-CANAUIAN    PEASANTRY 


ordinarily  a  porch,  or  tambour,  with  a  double  door  for  defense  against  the 
heavy  snowstorms  and  bitter  winds,  one  window  on  each  side,  with  two 
more  in  the  back  part  of  the  house. 

On  entering  the  visitor  finds  himself  in  a  square  room  used  as  bed- 
chamber, kitchen,  and  parlor.  In  the  dormitory  portion  of  the  apart- 
ment is  a  high  wooden  bedstead  of  simplest  make,  and  another  arranged 
in  tiers,  bunk-fashion,  for  the  accommodation  of  the  large  families  for 
which  the  race  is  noted.  Some  of  the  younger  children  sleep  in  cribs  or 
trundle-beds,  kept  in  the  daytime  under  the  large  parental  bed  and  drawn 
out  at  night  near  the  cooking-stove,  which  is  of  the  long,  two-storied  style, 
standing  in  the  centre  of  the  room,  surrounded  by  a  pile  of  logs  or  small 
firewood.  In  summer  the  children  sleep  in  the  attic,  and  at  that  season 
the  fire  is  kept  on  a  large  hearth  at  one  end  of  the  house. 

In  one  corner,  reaching  from  a  few  feet  above  the  floor  to  a  point  near 
the  ceiling,  are  wooden  shelves  painted  green  or  blue,  and  upon  them  are 
massed  some  of  the  household  treasures,  such  as  pewter  plates,  mugs,  delft 
and  earthen  vessels.  Hanging  from  one  of  the  cross-beams  is  the  old 
flint-gun,  known  as  U  vieux  ftisil  franfais,  with  the  powder-horn  and 
bullet-mold,  which  rendered  good  service  in  many  a  contest  with  the 
Indians  and  English,  as  well  as  in  innumerable  hunting  exploits.  This 
weapon  is  an  heirloom  prized  and  guarded  with  zealous  care.  They  often 
possess  a  more  modern  gun  of  the  long-barreled  sort,  such  as  is  used  for 
duck-shooting. 

In  another  corner  may  be  seen  the  snow-shoes  {raquettes)  with  which 
the  habitant  in  winter  travels  over  his  fields,  and  the  beef  moccasins  {bottes 
sauvages)  for  summer  use.  A  few  plain  three-legged  stools,  some  wooden 
chairs  with  wicker  bottoms,  one  or  two  rocking-chairs  {berceuses)  of  rustic 
make,  one  heavy,  spacious  wooden  trunk  serving  as  both  wardrobe  and 
seat  of  honor,  a  settle-bed,  and  of  course  the  kneading  trough,  generally 
sum  up  the  furniture.  Most  households  have  a  spinning-wheel  and  a 
loom.  The  floor  is  sometimes  covered  with  a  rag  carpet  {catalogue),  and 
the  walls  are  covered  with  old  newspapers. 

Above  the  bed  is  a  wooden  cross  painted  black,  below  which  is  the 
sprig  of  blessed  palm  in  a  small  bottle  or  vase  {benitier)  containing  holy 
water,  and  close  by  the  religious  calendar  of  the  diocese.  This  twig  of 
palm  plays  an  important  part  in  the  religious  ceremonies  of  the  house- 
hold, around  it  clustering  beliefs  of  impressive  character.  It  is  credited 
with  the  power  of  exorcising  the  evil  one  and  preventing  a  stroke  of 
lightning  to  the  house.  It  is  renewed  each  Palm  Sunday,  the  old  twig 
being  carefully  burned.     Some  houses  will  have  a  miniature  chapel  with 


T 


tflra 


THE  FRENCH-CANADIAN    PEASANTRY 


>3i 


ahar,  cheap  vases,  and  plastic  figures  of  saints.     On  feast  days  these  are 
illuminated  with  tiny  candles,  and  before  them  the  inmates  will  prostrate 
themselves  in  prayer.    In  many  households  a  fiddle  and  bow  occupy  a  con- 
spicuous  place  on  the  wall.     Religious  prints,  highly  colored  pictures  of 
the  Saviour,  the  Virgin  Mary,  St.  Joseph,  and  other  saints,  m   touching 
attitudes  of  suffering  or  devotion,  adorn  the  walls.     Those  of  the  blessed 
Mother  of  God  or  the  Pope  hold  the  place  of  honor  in  some  districts, 
while  in  others  St.  Vincent  de  Paul  or  St.  Jean  Baptiste  are  the  favorites. 
I  am  reminded  of  a  surprise  I  experienced  one  day  in  seeing  the  walls 
of  the  house  occupied  by  a  young  Protestant  Briton  covered  with  pictures 
of  the  "noble  army  of  martyrs."     As  discreetly  as  possible  I  expressed 
astonishment  at  his  partiality  for  such  prints,  when  he   explained  that  to 
them  he  considered  he  owed  his  wife.     Shortly  after  his  arrival  m  Canada 
he  happened   to  visit  a  farm-house  where  he  saw  similar   pictures,  with 
which  he  was  unfamiliar.     The  daughter  of  his  host,  a  pleasant,  bright- 
eyed  girl,  seeing  his  ignorance  of  martyrology,  eagerly  sought  to  persuade 
him  of  the  merits  and  distinctions  of  some  of   the  saints,  and  their  labors 
and  sacrifices.    These  recitals,  together  with  the  charms  of  the  fair  talker 
left   deep  impress  upon  his  heart.     From  that  moment  he  found  himself 
more  interested  in  all  pertaining  to  the  saints,  calling  frequently  for  more 
enlightenment,  with  the  result  that  before  he  could  become  thoroughly 
informed  in  saintly  records,  he  was  completely  in  love  with  the  farmer  s 
daughter.     He  has  since  held  all  the  saints  of  the  calendar  in  high  regard 
gratefully  recognizing  that  '.o  them  he  owed  his  charming  wife,  and  secured 
for  him  the  sweetest  companionship  for  life. 

But   to  return  to  the  abodes  of   the  peasants.     The  houses  near  the 
cities  or  of  the  well-to-do  are  larger,  have  more  rooms  and  conveniences 
than  those   just  described,  and  are  usually  built  of   stone.     Most  of  them 
have  the  same  high-pitched  roof  covered  with  shingles,  and  occasionally 
one  will  be  seen  with  the  second  story  projecting  beyond  the  first.     Ihe 
ceilings  are  low,  with  supporting  beams  visible.      These  houses  are  better 
furnished,  but  in  other  respects  they  resemble  the  poorer  ;  the  general  man- 
ners and  customs  of  the  inmates  of  both  being  almost  identical.     There  is 
often  a  large  baking-oven  connected  with  the  house  itself,  and  a  well  at  a 
little  distance  from  it.     There  are  well-kept  gardens  and  orchards  in  c  ose 
proximity,  the  sole  care  of  the  women,  and  from  which  they  derive  quite  a 
benefit  by  the  sale  of  vegetables  and  fruits. 

The  owners  of  the  better  class  of  houses  leave  them  in  summer  to  be 
occupied  by  strangers,  living  themselves  in  adjoining  out-houses.  Ihey 
make  an  honest  penny  not  only  in  this  way,  but  by  sellmc  provisions  and 


13a 


THE    FRENCH-CANADIAN    PEASANTRY 


waiting  on  their  tenants  or  driving,'  them  about  the  country.     Life  in  these 
out-buildings  wears  a  picnic  aspect,  jollity  and  social  ease  prevailing. 

All  houses  occupied  by  the  people  are  blessed  by  the  aird  shortly  before 
or  after  their  completion.  It  is  a  ceremony  many  think  indispensable  to 
avert  misfortune  and  disease.  Their  religion  teaches  them  that  all  in  this 
world  comes  from  and  will  return  to  God,  and  that  it  is  through  his  gracious 
goodness  we  are  enaHed  to  enjoy  all  we  possess.  These  facts  command 
their  continual  gratitude.  They  will  thus  stop  at  the  sound  of  the  Angelus 
to  say  a  short  prayer  three  times  a  day,  and  cross  themselves  before  be- 
ginning or  completing  every  act  of  their  lives.  Everything  they  own  they 
offer  up  to  God,  thanking  him  that  they  are  permitted  to  enjoy  these 
blessings.  As  soon  as  the  house  or  out-building  has  its  walls  raised,  they 
attach  to  the  chimney  or  to  one  gable  a  few  branches  of  palm  {le  bouquet, 
they  call  it)  and  discharge  some  fire-arm  by  way  of  salute.  For  what 
purpose  they  affix  this  bouquet  is  difficult  to  ascertain,  except  that  it  is  a 
custom  of  their  ancestors,  as  they  will  tell  you.  But  doubtless  there  lin- 
gers in  the  mind  some  pleasant  association,  even  with  the  unlettered,  ol 
the  branch  that  is  always  connected  with  triumph  and  victory,  and  that 
was  waved  before  our  Lord  on  his  entry  into  the  chosen  city.  In  France 
the  workmen  still  follow  this  custom,  and  there  it  is  done  to  remind  the 
owner  that  he  is  expected  to  celebrate  the  event  in  some  social  way. 

An  interesting  feature  of  the  domestic  picture  is  the  large  group  of 
healthy,  merry  children,  whose  boisterous  mirth  keeps  the  house  in  an  up- 
roar.  If  the  people  have  with  much  reason  been  credited  with  habits  and 
dispositions  of  patriarchal  simplicity,  they  no  less  resemble  the  ancient 
race  in  the  strength  of  their  domestic  affection  and  love  of  offspring.  The 
race  is  vigorous,  the  country  large,  and  modern  views  and  Malthusian 
theories,  which  check  the  population  of  lands  more  thickly  settled,  are  as 
yet  unknown  in  the  old  St.  Lawrence  region.  How  else  could  some  sixty- 
five  thousand  of  them,  defeated,  dejected,  and  abandoned  colonists  at  the 
time  of  the  cession  in  1759,  have  swollen  into  the  mighty  flood  of  popula- 
tion,  some  one  million  seven  hundred  thousand  at  the  present  day,  engaged 
in  the  cultivation  and  development  of  British  North   America's  illimitable 

resources  ? 

Before  the  cession  a  royal  bounty  was  granted  to  all  young  men  marry- 
ing  before  the  age  of  twenty,  and  to  young  girls  wedding  before  sixteen. 
Parents  who  had  more  than  ten  children  were  also  in  receipt  of  a  royal 
gratuity.  In  most  households  there  are  from  a  dozen  to  sixteen  children, 
and  even  as  many  as  twenty-eight.  Two  prominent  officials  of  the  prov- 
ince of  Quebec  are  twenty-sixth  children,  and  fine  specimens  of  physical 


TIIK    I'RKNCH-CANADIAN    PEASA.  ITRY 


133 


development  and  mental  culture  they  are.  too.     Recently  the  parliament 
of  Quebec  passed  a  law  granting;  a  lot  of  land  of  one  hundred  acres  to  all 
parents  who  have  twelve  or  more  living'   children,  and    already  over  one 
thousand  applications   have  been  made   for  the   provincial   bounty,     tor-     • 
merly  children  were  made  to  take  their  meals  at  a  small  table  at  one  end 
of  the  room,  generally  sitting  on  one  of  the  logs  kept  near  the  stove,  unti 
they  had  made  their  first  communion.     It  appears  that  the  logs  were  used 
for  mincing  meat  as  well,  with  the  other  end  turned  up.     In  their  little 
quarrels  the  older  children  used   to  taunt  the  younger,  saying  :  "  Oh,  you 
still  eat  off  the  block!  "  and  much  humiliation  was  felt.*     Apropos  of  large 
families,  there   is   a    story  which    deserves   mention.     A  peasant,  whose 
means  were  not  in  proportion  to  his  wit,  perpetrated  a  joke  on  his  priest, 
the  outcome   of  which  must  have    been  gratifying  to   one  in  his  strait- 
ened  circumstances.     He  called  one  day  upon  his  pastor,  bringing  wit., 
him  his  twenty-sixth  child,  born  to  him  that  morning.     "  Monsieur  le  cur^, 
he  said   "by  the  laws  of  my  country  and  church  it  is  my  bounden  duty  to 
hand  o'ver  to  you   the  twenty-sixth  portion   of  all   the  natural   products 
which  God   in  his  goodness   may  send  me.     1   consider  children   are  in- 
eluded   in  that  category,  and   I  therefore  leave  with  you   this  afternoon 
my  twenty-sixth  child,  just  presented  to  me  by  my  good  wife.       The  cnr^ 
appreciated  the  pleasantry,  although  poor  himself,  for  the  parish  was  m  the 
back  concessions  of  land,  newly  cleared,  and  the  tithes- formerly  the  tenth 
portion,  now  the  twenty-sixth— were  consequently  small ;  but  he  smilingly 
replied-  "  I  accept  my  share  of  what  Providence  has  bestowed  upon  you 
in  its  wise  dispensation.      But  do  not  keep    the  child   from  his   mother. 
Take  him  home  and  board  him  at  my  expense,  and  later  on   I  shall  pay 

for  his  schooling."  . 

The  garb  of  the  peasantry  exhibits   the  extreme  of  plainness.      Ihe 

coarsest   homespun,   worked  up  without  dye  or  polish,  the  materials  as 

dull  in  color  as  they  are  rough  in  texture,  forms  the  staple  of  the  suit 

the  monotonous  brown  or  gray  of  which  sadly  needs  the  contrast  afforded 

by  the    colored  sP.sh    {ccinturc  flicUe)    about  the  waist,  and  the   blue  or 

scarlet  of  the  nodding  toque.     They  wear  beef  moccasins  stretching  near  to 

the  knee  in  summer,  and  cloth  shoes  and   leggings    {mttasses)  in  winter. 

The  moccasins  are  all  made  round  about  the  toes,  and  for  this  reason  old 

country  people  sometimes  call  the  French  Canadians  round  toes.     The  wife  s 

ila  bonne  femme)  dress  is  of  the  simplest  description,  composed  of  a  warm 

woolen  shawl,  a  blue  skirt  or  dress  of  homespun,  and  a  neat  linen  cap, 

frilled  and  tied  under  the  chin.     For  church-going  and  holiday  occasions. 

*  Memoins  Philippe  Aubert  de  Gasp^. 


IM 


THE    FRENCH-CANADIAN    PEASANTRY 


many  of  them  can  produce  a  cheap  East  Indian  shawl,  which  is  care- 
fully laid  away  at  other  times.  The  children  arc  tlressed  somewhat  like 
the  parents. 

This  remark  'He  conservatism  in  dress  was  originally  due  to  the 
influence  of  the  popular  leaders,  spiritual  and  temporal.  Aware  that  the 
peasant's  taste  naturally  ran  toward  display,  regardless  of  expense,  they 
felt  it  was  wisest  to  recommend  the  use  of  articles  solid  and  useful.  This 
economical  disposition  has  done  a  great  deal  to  promote  the  success  of 
the  people  as  colonists.  They  were  .strongly  urged  to  raise  from  the  soil 
all  required  for  their  sustenance,  to  make  their  own  clothing  and  tools  as 
well,  that  they  might  become  independent  of  outsiders,  especially  of  the 
English,  their  old-time  natural  enemy.  They  were  also  stimulated  to 
spread,  multiply,  and  take  possession  of  the  land — limparons-uous  dii  sol 
was  the  watch-word — in  order  to  become  a  power  in  North  America. 
Well-meant  and  sensible  as  was  such  counsel,  it  might  not  have  been  so 
generally  followed  had  the  peasant  had  opportunities  of  seeing  the  outside 
world  and  noting  the  different  styles  prevailing  in  domestic  and  other 
matters.  But  communication  with  cities  and  towns  was  diflficult  and 
expensive  till  a  few  years  ago.  Since,  however,  they  have  had  this  want 
supplied,  and  been  enabled  to  see  so  many  pictures  of  the  large  stirring 
cities,  their  humors,  fashions,  and  prevalent  spirit,  that  it  is  impossible  to 
confine  them  within  the  old  grooves  of  habit  or  oblige  them  to  follow  with 
anything  like  fidelity  the  former  ideals  set  up  for  their  guidance.  Some 
of  them  now  discard  homespun  for  garments  of  modern  make,  build  them- 
selves better  houses,  which  they  furnish  with  some  luxury,  keep  servants 
and  carriages,  and  have  more  abundant  niisine.  In  fact,  of  late  many 
show  much  weakness  for  personal  display  and  extravagance.  The  clergy 
essay,  but  in  vain,  to  correct  this  disposition.  It  is  said  that  they  spend 
ten  times  more  on  dress,  carriages,  and  fast  horses  than  the  same  class  in 
France.  Formerly  self-denial  was  their  rule  of  action,  backed  by  self- 
reliance.  The  farm  and  household  work  was  divided  impartially  among 
the  different  members  of  the  family,  no  outside  aid  being  necessary. 
Many  a  farmer  has  had  to  mortgage  heavily  his  homestead,  as  the  result 
of  his  foolish  disregard  of  the  wise  counsel  of  his  chieftains. 

They  generally  enjoy  good  health,  vigor,  and  animal  spirits.  Many  an 
old  man  and  woman  can  be  found  who  have  never  spent  a  dollar  for 
medicine  since  their  birth.  Nearly  all  enjoy  the  social  weed  in  the  form 
of  smoking ;  chewing  is  rare.  And  their  smoking  seems  seldom  hurtful 
with  their  steady  nerves  and  simple  habits.  The  race  is,  generally  speak- 
ing, temperate;  of  course,  with  many,  an  occasional  drink  of  whisky  or 


? 

-^ 


4. 


1 

i 


Tllh:   FRENCH-CANADIAN   PEASANTRY 


»35 


ft 


beer  comes  not  amiss.     Their  diet  is  exceedingly  plain.     The  farmer  is  an 
early  riser,  leaving  bed  by  four  in  summer  and  five  in  winter.     Just  before 
the  morning  meal  he  takes  his  dram,  /<•///"  con/>  (Vappctit,  the  beverage 
being  usually  whisky  in  which  he  has  infused  some  absinthe  leaves.     He 
is  careful  not  to  allow  the  younger  children  to  see  him  ;  he  will  take  it  h 
la  cachette.     The  first  meal  of  the  day  consists  of  a  platter  of  skimmed 
and  sour  milk,  in  equal  proportions,  with  buckwheat   bread  broken  and 
soaked  in  the  milk.     Dinner  is  served   shortly  before  mid-day,  the  bill  of 
fare  comprising  pea  soup  in  which  pork  has  be^n  boiled  with  green  herbs. 
The  pork  is  generally  eaten  with  molasses.     The  dessert  is  a  bowl  of  new 
and  sour  milk,  mixed  with  the  bread,  as  for  the  morning  meal,  but  they 
add  maple  sugar  at  this  repast.     After  dinner  all  take  a  nap,  servants  and 
family  alike.     Supper  comes  when  the  work  of  the  day  is  ended,  and  con. 
sists  again  of  new  and  sour  nr.    .,  with  cold   potatoes  and  whatever  pork 
may  have  been  left  over  from  ditmer.     Occasionally  an  infusion  of  hot 
water  and  toast,  under  the  name  of  coffee,  is  taken.     Near  the  rivers, 
lakes,   and  coasts  fish  is  freely  eaten.     During  harvest  time,  la  moiss'^n, 
each  worker  is  given  a  hunch  of  bread  and  a  piece  of  cold  boiled  pork  to 
carry  to  the  fields  for  the  noon-day  meal,  which  he  eats  with  a  clasp- 
knife  carried  in  the  pocket  for  that  purpose.     They  have  an  odd  way  of 
cutting  the  bread  and  pork  ;  they  hold   the  sandwich  in  the  palm  of  the 
left  hand,  and  while  pressing  one  corner  of  it  against  the  thumb,  they  cut 
a  piece  off  with  a  circular  motion.     They  next  stick  the  end  of  the  knife 
into  this  piece  and  carry  it  to  the  mouth.     The  process  is  a  peculiar  and 
striking  one.     With  a  draught  of  water  the  meal  is  complete. 

Of  a  Sunday  they  enlarge  their  dietary,  treating  themselves  at  break- 
fast  to  thick  pancakes,  crapes,  made  of  wheaten  flour  and  milk,  cooked  with 
butter,  and  eaten  with  maple  sugar  or  molasses.  Another  article  of  indul- 
gence is  roast  y^oxV,  pore  frais.  the  drippings  of  which,  graisse  de  rot,  are 
much  appreciated  by  them,  and  also  a  stew,  ragoiit,  of  pigs'  feet.  In  summer 
they  seldom  eat  meat,  but  they  use  it  in  winter  when  game  is  abundant. 
When  they  kill  cattle  and  pigs  for  market,  they  often  keep  certain  portions 
for  family  use,  which  they  bury  in  the  snow  and  dig  up  as  wanted.  The 
ruling  idea  is  to  live  on  the  humblest  fare,  made  up  of  such  things  as  are 
not  convertible  into  money.  All  their  meals  are  eaten  with  a  relish 
begotten  of  pure  country  air,  abundant  exercise  at  the  healthiest  and 
most  invigorating  of  occupations.  The  diet  of  the  better  class  of  farmers 
is  more  liberal,  resembling  that  of  the  corresponding  class  in  cities,  but 
they  do  not,  as  a  whole,  eat  meat  as  freely  as  their  British  neighbors.  On 
festive  occasions,  like  New  Year  and  Easter,  they  treat  their  guests  with 


136 


THE   FRENCH-CANADIAN    PEASANTRY 


liberality,  giving  them  cAd  meat-pies,  ioiirtihes,  and  a  cake,  crcquignoles, 
not  unlike  the  doughnuts  of  New  England,  and  such  other  dainties  as 
they  can  rfford,  not  omitting  spirit?. 

On  Friday  no  meats  are  eaten  ;  fish,  eggs,  and  pancakes  being  most  m 
use,  and  be^n  soup  also.  Lenten  season  and  the  fasts  of  the  church  they 
faithfully  and  rigorously  observe,  using  meats  only  during  certain  days  of 
the  week,  and  only  once  then.  When  tbey  sit  down  to  table  they  all 
make  the  sign  of  the  cross  and  invoke  God's  blessing,  BenediciU ;  after 
meals  they  offer  thanks,  Deo  gratias,  and  again  cross  themselves.  At  table 
general  hilarity  prevails,  and  if  one  be  noticed  to  eat  less  than  usual  he  is 
at  once  rallied  to  indulge  more  freely. 

All  their  soups,  meats,  and  stews  are  served  in  one  large  dish,  h  la 
gamdle,  which  is  placed  in  the  centre  of  the  table.  They  break  their 
pieces  of  bread,  drop  them  in  the  main  dish,  and  then  scoop  them  out 
with  spoon  or  fork  till  the  appetite  is  satiated.  This  custom  is  called 
.aucez,  and  the  parent  is  hesid  now  and  then  saying  to  a  child  whose  appe- 
tite is  flagging.  Sauce  done,  mon  cher—"  Dip  in,  my  dear." 

As  a  boy  I  remember,  while  out  fishing  at  a  place  some  forty  miles 
b-low  Quebec,  near  the  village  of  Montmagny,  calling  at  a  farmer's  house 
at  dinner-time,  and  being  invited  to  join  the  family  circle.  I  hesitated  for 
a  moment  when  asked  to  help  myself  from  the  main  dish  in  the  family 
fashion,  but  a  long  walk  had  so  sharpened  my  appeiite,  that  when  I.  was 
urged  a  second  time  I  threw  maiivaise  honte  to  the  dogs  and  acted  upon 
the  principle,  "  la  Rome  do  as  the  Romans  do,"  and  I  live  to  tell  the  tale. 


/" 


^^^'^^^rs^ 


Bosr  oti,  Jufy,  1890. 


J'    'fi 


